This year we did our annual trip to the Wind Rivers in Wyoming, ever in search of the allusive golden trout.

We left from the Allen Diamon 4 Ranch outside of Lander and took horses on a seven-hour trek over the Bears Ears pass. From the trail, you can see across the valley to the lakes we eventually visited.

 

We ended up staying at Dutch Oven Lake.  A really pretty lake, but it is only filled with Brookies.  We did see, however, a bald eagle come in one evening at sunset and snatch up a trout from the lake.

On our first day, we hiked into Spearhead Lake.  Kind of a brutal hike with no trail and straight up.

The first half the day was beautiful as you can see.

 

 

The brutal hike up was clearly worth it. The lake was spectacular.

 

 

And I did catch a really pretty golden trout.

 

But then Hurrican Hillary that came up from San Diego unleashed on us.  It down poured during our three hour hike back, then all night.  About half the tents got blown over.  Long and miserable night.

The next day we visited the Southfork Lakes and they were great for catching large cutthroat trout.

 

 

Unfortunately, these weren’t the easiest to catch in the brisk wind the howled all day long.

Our last day was spent fishing the river and a few close lakes.  Super fun.

And, I need to mention that the food on the trip was amazing. Best food I’ve had in the backcountry. Nice surprise from Diamond 4 Ranch.